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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Kitchen cabinet refinishing.

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Expert: - 1/18/2009


Question
Our 8 year old cherry cabinets were sprayed with a clear lacquer finish.  It has not held up well around the sink area and prep areas that see water/moisture.  These affected areas appear to have allowed water to get underneath the finish.  The lacquer finish has turned milky at those locations and has started to lift.  I want to refinish the cabinets with a durable clear finish that I will spray with a HLVP set up.  Could you please recommend a clear finish with excellent durability that could be spray applied by someone with some spray/finishing experience?  My goal is to take the steps necessary so I do not have to refinish again.  Thank You very much for your time and advice.  -Greg C.

Answer
Hi Greg, if you're going to only refinish the damaged cabinets, then I would use a catalyzed lacquer because you'll need to match the existing lacquer finish as best as possible...but there are other options like catalyzed solvent Urethanes,Waterborne Urethanes, etc. I like the General precat 181, or the Enduro Poly, but I have to admit that I don't do much kitchen cabinet finishing, and coatings technology has changed rapidly in the last two years or so. I tend to still lean towards solvent finishes,mainly because I have conventional spray guns, but the waterborne products are really good, and because of VOC reg's, becoming the norm for more and more commercial shops. And if you have an HVLP set up, you're equiped to spray any of the above. Large companies like Sherwin Williams also have clears that might suit you well...and can recommend what they sell to other kitchen manufacturers....hope that helped a little- post back if need be, and I'd be interested in what you choose, and your experience with it.- regards- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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